How Did Jane Addams Contribute To History

Women who make history have gone unrecognized for too long. There are many women who have made amazing accomplishments and have contributed to America. One of these women is Jane Addams. Addams is most known for her co-founding of the Hull House, a settlement house in Chicago in 1889, but her achievements stem far beyond. Jane Addams’ activism contributed to multiple turning points in U.S. history, and her actions made greatly significant contributions.
Jane Addams is a prominent historical figure who achieved a lot during her lifetime. Jane Addams was valedictorian of her class at Rockford Female Seminary. After Addams graduated she traveled to England and visited Toynbee Hall, a settlement house there. Here she gained inspiration to

Jane Addams was a women’s rights activist who believed that women should “search out opportunities to realize them”. She collaborated with reformers to advocate for shorter work days for women and women’s suffrage. Her activism in women’s rights ultimately contributed to one of the greatest turning points for women in history: earning suffrage. She also worked with social reformers to gain more rights for poor workers. Among these reforms, she championed tenement house regulations, factory inspections, and worker’s compensation. These reforms were part of the Progressive Party’s platform which ultimately changed America by increasing government influence to ensure higher living and working standards to the country’s destitute. This turning point in social reforms was influenced by Addams’ reform work and allowed for better livelihoods and opportunities for poor workers. In addition to women, Addams advocated for other underrepresented groups including children, blacks, and immigrants. Addams pushed for juvenile rights which lead to the establishment of the first juvenile-court law. She additionally fought against injustice for blacks and immigrants. Continual collective efforts by Jane Addams and her fellow activists over time lead to turning points later in history. Reformers like Addams influenced Supreme Court justices who eventually

In 1889, Addams established the Hull House in Chicago in efforts to help immigrants and the poor during the Gilded Age. The Hull House consisted of a community kitchen, gymnasium, a day nursery and residence options. The settlement house offered schooling for all ages, clubs, and even a theatre group called the “Hull House Players”. The Hull House was originally a run-down mansion, but with funds from supporters (mainly women), it was transformed into a settlement house. Jane’s orations recruited wealthy donors to support her cause. At the Hull House’s hight, it hosted 9,000 people per week. The main goals of the Hull House, which were achieved, were to assimilate immigrants and help victims of harsh industrialism. Immigrants could be taught to speak English through the schooling offered at the house which opened up many possibilities for them in America. Thus, Jane Addams’ Hull House was historically significant because it gave poor people and immigrants a leg up during a time of harsh capitalism and ultimately gave them more